1943 – 2013

PALM BAY, Fla. — George S. “Bud” Gilmore, 70, of Strong and Sarasota, Fla., died Nov. 5, in Palm Bay, Fla., on his way home for the winter.

Bud was born in Portland on Jan. 3, 1943, to Roland and Eldora Gilmore, the second of two boys. Bud grew up in Strong and worked in the lumbering and carnival businesses, taking over the family business, Smokey’s Greater Shows, after his father passed away in 1970. Bud continued his love for the business and operated the show for another 43 years, until the day he died; there were never any thoughts of slowing down or retiring.

Prior to Bud taking over the family business, he served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. While operating Smokey’s Greater Shows, he managed to finish college at the University of Maine in Farmington, with a degree in education and biology, while raising a family. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Elks of Maine.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jeanette, of Sarasota, Fla.; four children, Diane Peterson and her husband, Dean, of Ocala, Fla., Andrew Gilmore and his wife, Susan, of Hampden, Nicole Paige and husband, Ralph, of Bristol, N.H., and Allison Frazier of Portland; seven grandchildren, Drew, Jackson and Josie Gilmore, Megan Peterson and Madison, Nathan and Lauren Paige.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his infant son, John Michael; stepson, William Kling; and brother, Alfred.

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